Src family kinase function during early Xenopus development

The Src family kinase Laloo functions downstream of the fibroblast growth f actor (FGF) receptor, as a component of a signaling pathway required for me soderm formation. In this study, we first show that Laloo expression can mi mic FGF function in a distinct context, suggesting that the Src-related kin ases are general transducers of FGF signaling during development. We then c haracterize the role of the SH-PTP2 phosphatase, and of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-pathway signaling, in mesoderm induction by Laloo, Finally, w e demonstrate that the mesoderm-inducing activity of the Src family kinases is not limited to Laloo, indicating a degree of functional overlap between members of this gene family during early vertebrate development, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.